Senaratne struck 82 in a total of 177 for four, with brothers Akbar and Zafar Ansari adding 31 apiece. Ben Foakes earlier hit his first Essex hundred, allowing the visitors to declare on 420 for four and set Cambridge 650 to win.

Durham could only manage a stalemate with Durham MCCU.

After the students were set an unlikely 495 for victory at the Emirates Durham ICG, Chris Jones registered 43 and Rishabh Shah 57 not out in a score of 151 for five.

Durham declared their second innings on a lunchtime 244 for one, with Keaton Jennings, another player to register a maiden first-class century today, and Will Smith unbeaten on 102 and 101 respectively.

Cardiff MCCU also claimed a creditable draw against Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium.

The hosts declared on 241 for five, leaving their opponents a theoretical 348 to win. Cardiff made it to 144 for six thanks in part to Fabian Cowdrey’s 62.

Chris Nash grabbed his second match half-century as Sussex and Loughborough MCCU shared the spoils in a game ruined by a opening-day washout at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground.

Wickets were shared round when Loughborough were dismissed for 155, Gavin Baker top-scoring with 44, having resumed on 54 for three in response to Sussex’s 297.

Nash then struck 60 not out and Ed Joyce an unbeaten 27 as the hosts reached 105 for two.